The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-08-11

uO, DuG IL lnedlS no nauSOnS 1Of u
fortnight" and he walked across the
studio and slipped the sovereign into
the beggar's hand.
The old man started, and a faint
smile fitted across his witherd lips.
THANK you, sir" he said in foreign
accent.
Then Trevor arrived, and Hughie
took his leave, blushing a little at
what he had done. He spent the day
with Laura, got charming scolding
for his extravaganza, and had to walk
home.
That night he strolled into the
Palette club about IL o'clock and found
Trevor sitting by himself in the smok-
ing-room drinking hook and seltzer.
''Well, Alan. did you get the picture
finished all right? he said, as he lit
his cigarette.
FINISHED and framed. my boyr an
swered Trevor; land, by the by, you
have made a conquest. That old
model you saw is quite devoted to you.
l had to tell him all about you-who
YOU are, where you live. what your in
come is, what prospects you have"
MY dear Alan,h cried Hughie, Il
shall probably find him waiting for
me when I go home. But of course
you are only joking Poor old beg
gar! Iwish / could do something for
him. think it is dreadful that any
one should be so miserable. have
got heaps of old clothes at home-do
you think he would care for any of
themP Why, his rags were falling to
bits"
..But he looked splendid in them"
said Trevor. ssI wouldn't paint him
in frock coat for anything. What
you call rags l call romance. What
seems poverty to you is picturesque
ness tome. However, I'll tell him your
Offer
"Alan," said Hughie seriously, 'tyou
painters are heartless lot"
IAN artists heart is his head" re-
piled Trevor; ''and besides, our busi-
ness is to realize the world as we see
it, not to reform it as we know it. 4
chacun son meter. Aud now tell me
how Laura is. The old model was
quite interested in her."
You don't mean to say you talked
to him about her?" said Hughie.
Certainly 1 did. He knows all
about the relentless colonel, the lovely
damsel, and the 100000
You told that old beggar all my
private affairs?" cried Hughie. looking
very red and angry.
my dear boy" said Trevor smiling.
"that old beggar as you call him, is one
of the richest men in Europe. He could
buy all London tomorrow without
overdrawing his account. He has
house in every capital, dimes off gold
plates, and can prevent Russia going
to war when he chooses"
'What on earth do you meanp" ex-
claimed Hughie.
What l say" said Trevor. 1.-The
old man you saw to-day was Baron
Hausberg. He is great friend of
mine, buys all my pictures and that
sort of thing, and gave me commits
sion a month ago to paint him as
beggar. Que OouiezUOus? La fantaisie
a. an millionaire! And / must say
he made a magnificent figure in his
rags, or perhaps l should say in my
rags; they are an old suit l got in
SPAIN"
Baron Hausbergr cried Hughie.
''Good heavens! l gave HIM sover-
eign" and lie sank into an armchair,
the picture of dismay.
''Gave him a sovereign! shouted
Trevor, and burst into roar of laugh
ter. my dear boy, you'll never see it
again. Son ataire c'est Pargent des
GutreSS."
II think you might have told me,
Alan" said Hughie, sulkily, land not
let me make such fool of myself"
"Well, to begin with, Hughie," said
Trevor; sit never entered my mind
that you went about distributing aims
in that reckless way. l can understand
your kissing pretty model, but your
giving sovereign to AN ugly one
by Jove, no! Besides, the fact is that
l really was not at home to-day to any
one; and when you came in didn't
know whether Hausberg would like his
name mentioned. You know he wasn't
in full dress.
"What duffer he must think mel"
said Hughie.
Not at all. He was in the highest
spirits after you left; kept chuckling
to himself and rubbing his old wrink-
led hand together. couldn't make
out why he was so interested to know
all about you; but l see it all now.
He'll invest your sovereign for you,
Hughie, pay you interest every six
months, and have capital story to
tell a1ter ulnner.
Il am an unlucky devil" growled
Hughie. 1.-The best thing I can do is
to go to bed; and, my dear Alan, you
mustn't tell anyone. 1 shouldn;t dare
to show my face in the row."
Nonsense! 1t reflects the highest
credit on your philanthropic spirit,
Hughie, and don't run away. Have
another cigarette, and you can talk
about Laura as much as you like"
However, Hughie wouldn't stop, but
walked home, feeling very unhappy,
and leaving Alan Trevor in fits of
laughter.
The next morning, as he was at
breakfast, the servant brought him up
a card, on which was written, ''M.
Gustave Naudin, de la part de. M. lie
Baron Hausberg." 81 suppose he has
come for an apology" said Hughie to
himself; and he told the servant to
show the visitor up.
An old gentleman with gold specta-
cles and gray hair came into the room,
and said in slight French accent
''Have the honor of addressing M.
Hugh ErskineP"
Il have come from Baron Eaus.
berg" he continued. 1.-The baron
II beg, sir, that you will offer him
my sincere apologies, said Hughie.
1.-The baron" said the old gentle
man, with smile, ''has commissioned
me to bring you this letter." and ht
handed Hughie sealed envelope
On the outside was written: GA wed
ding present to Hugh Erskine ane
Laura Merton, from an old beggar.
and inside was a check for 10000.
When they were married Alan Ire
vor was the best man, and the baroI
made speech at the wedding break
fast.
millionaire models" said Alan
''are rare enough: but, by Jove, mode
millionaires are rarer still"-Londol
| | WOrId